"In most of these cases, the employees have contracted the coronavirus while overseas including staff who were on holidays," Dr Hosegood said.

"There's been no confirmed cases of transmission of the coronavirus to employees or customers on board our aircraft, or any aircraft globally for that matter. Whilst this transmission is possible, current evidence suggests it's unlikely.

"We have put in place increased measures to protect our people while they are at work and our customers including enhanced cleaning at airports and on aircraft and providing necessary safety equipment."

All of the infected staff members are undertaking 14 days' quarantine.